The North American International Auto Show 2015

It was electric.  There I said it.  The E word.  My trip to Detroit’s NAIAS was electric in many ways.  Detroit has come forward with a recovery that shows itself clearly at NAIAS.  Just traveling from the airport to the COBO where it is being held I could tell that the driver was feeling good about his city and what the future might hold.  At the show itself, where over $600 million dollars had been invested I talked to the workers doing their jobs amongst the glitter and lights.  Their attitude was very positive and their perspectives were of the future and their expectations of a bright one.

But the main way this show was electric were the cars themselves.  It looked like every manufacturer had an electric car to showcase.  Walking into the exhibition hall I was immediately confronted with the concept of electric cars.

Yes, even Porsche.

Seeing a Prius at the Toyota stage area was not a surprise.  But here was a hydrogen powered drivetrain…

Chevy showed its Bolt electric vehicle which they claim will provide 200 miles of driving before requiring a recharge.  If so, it will really shake up the industry.

VW’s E car subtly incorporated the letter E into the side of its tail light.

How about a vehicle of the future from the folks at Toyota?

Interesting and while a stretch it is more plausible than a flying car.

The Chevy Volt with more improvements for 2015.

Mazda had a couple examples of the new Miata MX-5.  One in left hand drive and one in right.

A big part of getting fuel economy out of today’s cars is aerodynamics and here is a good shot of the underside of a car where things have been smoothed out as much as possible…

The car companies are going for the revenue in aftermarket parts and accessories.  ford is even offering more aggressive tuning of the ECUs of some of their cars.

Car shows are the place where you expect to see some really amazing concept cars as well as the unveiling of new hot vehicles and NAICS was no exception.

The Mini concept car above shows the BMW influence.  I love the windshield treatment.

Maserati had their car to celebrate a century of their brand.  It was stunning.

I wasn’t sure how Buick feels about the portholes used on Maserati.

Speaking of Buick, they had their own stunner in this long wheelbase sedan that would be a real hit in the China market.

Here is the replacement for the NSX.  Another stunning vehicle that is a hybrid sports car.

Mercedes has their own concept car.  Interesting ideas…

Honda showed off their product line of cars and much more.

Honda’s Indy series winner:

As well as its F1 history…

Honda will be reentering F1 and teaming with McLaren Racing.  This is the engine they use in the Indy Series…

We know of Honda in lawnmowers and motorcycles…

…but now they are ready to introduce their jet!

The most stunning of the new cars debuting were the Ford cars…

…but before we get there let’s whet your appetite with a few Ford historical legends.

the Ford GT40 above…

The Ford GT street car from just a few years back…

…and now…

The NEW Ford GT.

On top of that there is the Shelby Mustang with magnificent handling and 600+ horsepower.

Ford also has their aluminum F-150.

Dodge has its Eco Turbo Ram truck…

Nissan broke a 12 year rut and has come out with a new full-size pickup truck with a Cummins diesel engine.

Take a look at the underpinnings…

Its time to look at the various race cars that were on display…

Not quite sure what I was supposed to take away with this race truck from Toyota.

Not to loan them my truck?  Not to be a passenger?  Tough truck though.

Toyota is in so many forms of racing.

This is a Lexus that while billed as a concept racer is highly likely to be seen in competition.

These vintage race cars from Alfa Romero were eye catchers to introduce their new sports car…

which looks suspiciously like a Lotus.

Hyundai does their share of racing…

And the new Corvette in racing trim…

Ford…

Mercedes

Formula E

Red Bull

As a special treat the Autoweek editorial staff gave a group of us Autoweek Advisors a walking tour of the show.

There is nothing quite like having all their car knowledge on tap and being receptive to your questions.

This show continues in Detroit through January 25.  It is an amazing show that is well worth a trip.  The venue is fantastic and the displays are outstanding.  The talent that helps to display the cars also know all the technical details.  A big part of their job is to listen to the attendees and gather the comments and information for input back to the automobile companies.

Its not just the car companies that make up the NAICS, there are the key suppliers and vendors.

Much of the thanks for the success of NAICS should go to the people of Detroit that have shaken off the down side of the economy and are coming back with all their heart and soul.